Neck Pain: Natural Support in Holborn

Neck pain and stiffness are familiar complaints at our Holborn clinic, particularly among clients whose work involves long hours at a screen. Our practitioners work with new and recurring neck pain and with tension that has built up over months or years.

About neck pain

The NHS describes most neck pain as being caused by minor strains, poor posture over time, or a previous injury flaring up, and as usually improving within a few weeks. A smaller group of cases are linked to conditions like cervical spine arthritis, a trapped nerve, or an old whiplash injury. A GP or imaging study is the right place to sort one from the other if you're unsure.

The clients we see include people who woke up with their neck locked after a night of awkward sleep, professionals whose neck tightens across a working day and only eases on a weekend, cyclists and runners who've overloaded the upper back, and people managing the ongoing effects of a historical injury.

How we can help

Osteopathy. Our General Osteopathic Council registered osteopaths assess how the neck, upper back, and shoulders are moving as a whole system. Gentle articulation, soft tissue work, and mobilisation help restore movement and reduce the muscular tension that often accompanies neck pain. Manual therapy is one of the recognised options for mechanical neck pain.

Sports and deep tissue massage. Upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and the small suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull are common hotspots; a focused massage session can release these and ease pressure that radiates into headaches. A good number of our office worker clients book sports massage as regular maintenance rather than only when in pain.

Acupuncture. For neck pain linked to chronic tension headache, NICE guidance recommends considering acupuncture as a preventative option. Traditional and Western medical acupuncture are both offered by our BAcC registered practitioners.

Craniosacral therapy. A very gentle hands on approach that can suit clients who don't want a lot of direct pressure, or whose neck pain has a post injury or stress related component.

A fair proportion of the people we see with neck pain combine a manual therapy with practical ergonomic advice from their practitioner about their desk setup, pillow, and daily movement.

What to expect at your first visit

Plan for around an hour. Your practitioner will ask about the pain, your work and lifestyle, any accidents or injuries, and will look at posture, range of motion, and how the neck and shoulders are moving. They'll explain what they find and suggest a treatment plan, usually starting in the same session.